Windows are rated in various categories that measure their energy efficiency. If you are deciding on windows for your home, greater emphasis should be placed on varying ratings based on where the home is located in. For instance, if you are shopping for replacement windows in Phoenix, Arizona, a sunny and warm climate, the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient is very likely the most crucial rating to think about. Other factors, such as the orientation of a window to the sun and any shade present need to be considered.

The U.S. Government's Energy Star program is designed to make it convenient for consumers to identify energy efficient products and practices that will save them money and protect the environment. The Energy Star program rates over sixty products, including windows. Energy Star certification makes it very simple for consumers to ensure they are getting energy efficient replacement windows.

All Energy Star replacement windows are rated in five different categories however Energy Star qualification is based only on the U-Factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient. These ratings are also the categories utilized to determine if a window qualifies for the IRS Energy Tax Credit.

U-Factor
Measures the rate of heat transfer and signifies how effectively a window insulates. The lower the U-Factor rating, the better a window insulates. The window U-Factor incorporates the thermal qualities of the frame in addition to the glazing.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
Measures the solar energy transmitted by the window and indicates how efficiently a window inhibits heat caused by sunlight. The lower the SHGC, the less solar heat a window transmits.

Visable Transmittance (VT)
Measures the amount of light a window permits through. The greater the Visable Transmittance, the more light you see.

Air Leakage (AL)
Measures the speed at which air passes through joints in a window. Air Leakage is calculated in cubic feet of air passing through one square foot of window area per minute. The smaller the Air Leakage value, the less air leakage.

Condensation Resistance
Measures how well a window prevents water build-up. The greater the Condensation Resistance factor, the less condensation build-up a window allows.

Other Replacement Window Ratings
There are some other ratings which are not presented on the NFRC Energy Star label but they are helpful and appear on some windows.

Light to Solar Gain
The ratio of VT (see above) to SHGC (see above) measures the amount of light that is transmitted without adding heat. A greater number indicates that more light is transmitted without adding heat.

R-Value
R-Value was created as a way to rate the insulation value of something. It calculates conductivity and illustrates the resistance to heat flow. A high R-Value signifies a better insulated window. Most windows today are measured using U-Factor (see above).

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